M4: Fashion and Coffee

M4:

Fashions of Queen Street - Taken from Toronto Life (article)

EA meets R^2

R^2 (R Squared)
Address: 668 Queen Street West
Neighbourhood: Queen West
website, @rsquaredcafe Tel: 647-344-8558

Since Quaff turned hands to Reza and Reza - hence the name R^2 - the space has changed from machine to decor. Gone are the vibrant San Pellegrino art installation at the back of the shop and in comes the WBC sponsored espresso pulling machine. A complete overhaul from coffee to baked goods, means more fun to be had. They brought on board Matthew Songberg to head their coffee program, and have gone the route of Social Coffee.

A nice wooden bar to watch the activity at the real bar, and floor to ceiling windows at the front to do our best to people watch Queen West. Welcome to neighbourhood.

Machine: 3 Group Nuova Simonelli Adina
Grinder: Mazzer
Beans: Holiday Blend (seasonal)
Composition: Brazilian, Guatemalan
Roasters: Social Coffee Company
Located: Richmond Hill, ON

Verdict: Breathe of cold winter air and down goes the spicy - think hints of cinnamon and cloves - nutty emulsion upon the first sip, settling into a mild cocoa ringing on the next sip and then a gripping fresh mouth coating to end the cup.

Next time I'll come back for the slow bar - as by the cup coffee pushing our envelopes to discover and taste more.
But what does 2012 entail? Wait and see.....

Crossiants and Coffee: Nadège Patisserie

Nadège Patisserie
Address: 780 Queen West
Neighbourhood: Queen West/ Trinity-Bellwoods
website 

Continuing on with our Crossiant series brings us to Nadège Patisserie located in hustle and bustle of Queen West - right across from Trinity-Bellwoods Park. This space has won the ARDIO award, Design Exchange Gala Award and no kidding the place is amazing. Smack dab in Central Toronto with an in-house made French bakery in the back/ full force patisserie and showcase in the front perfectly lined with white chairs, tables and counter space. You'll find it's always packed - but more so on the weekend as 9-5ers get their fix of decadence.

First Experience: Jimmy's Coffee

Jimmy's Coffee
Address: 107 Portland Avenue
Neighbourhood: Fashion District/King West
website   @Jimmyscoffee

Quiant Coffee in the hustle and bustle of King West?
Let's be honest here, it's an amazing location smack-dab in Central Toronto. Where does it find it's place in King West and Fashion District land where the hordes of condo-dwellers come to sip their sorrows away. They've created that need, and they neighbourhoodies come in drones.Let's just say, it's a great way to people watch on a weekend afternoon. All the sunglasses and chic comfort wear, clearly just waking up to grab their "morning" brews. But that's an over generalization, it's charm can win over the most toughest critics. A once kept secret, is exploding at the seems for fresh faces to destroy their secret hiding spot.
It's been exposed as a great place to enjoy well pulled shots of espresso. Front and Back Patio--- LUSH

Croissants and Coffee: Clafouti

Clafouti
Address: 915 Queen West
Neighbourhood: Queen West/ Trinity-Bellwoods
website,

Where do you hit up when you're in one of those weekend ruts? Switch it up by heading to Trinity-Bellwoods and people watch. Across the street from the urban park is home to Clafouti.
Known for it's amazing patisseries, case in point. The beloved Croissant, brings back cheerful memories of Paris. Just a year ago I was in the Eurozone - enjoying more time then expected due to the Volcanic Ash disaster - or fortunate opportunity. In a good triubte, my friend had pointed me to BlogTO's recently updated "Best of Croissants" list. Only fitting that I'd be enjoying spot 1, most voted for by BlogTO readers

First Experience: Quaff

Cafe Quaff
Address: 668 Queen Street West
Neighbourhood: Queen West
website: site has been under construction for a while.

Steps from Queen West fashion/boutique shopping - a saturated area for the coffee scene, sees no shortage of foot track. Now that the weather is getting better - hordes of citizens are flooding into the area. How does Quaff stand up?
Being a huge fan of natural light - the large window that allows for the most optimal spot to people watch the styles and fashionista stroll through the sidewalks. (speaking of which....RCSaveAS)

Down to business - Typical long bar set-up, with high ceilings and white walls adorning the wall.
Amazing collection of san pellegrino flavoured water sits at the back. Attention was not lost on this cafe... #justsaying, #lush

First Experience: Dark Horse III (Queen W)

Dark Horse Espresso Bar

Address: 684 Queen Street West (@ Euclid)

Neighbourhood: Queen West/Fashion District

Website @darkhorsecafe
647.352.3512

This is the third location for Deeana and Ed, owners of the Dark Horse Empire. A month ago, I did a spotlight on Detour Roasters, and as one of their biggest clients, it's safe to say that Detour gets to grow as well.

Snowy Saturday; SJCB, Dark Horse

This past Saturday, Toronto got hit with some lovely snowy weather. Snow storm with winds in the mix make for lovely photos!

In the midst of the snowstorm, we were still able to conduct our first Espresso Adventure of 2011.

The morning starting with treking 3 blocks to start the Annex/Queen W adventure. New EA meant that we had to go to some favs and big names from the scene.
First off we lounged inside of Sam James Coffee Bar where Sam James himself was on the La Marzocco GB5 himself.
Pulling an elegant double espresso, in a fashionanle manner is not easy, but the finese that he intellectuall feels is an intuition that may never occur.

Verdict: Buttery smooth with infusion of half melted chocolate. Random spurts of citrus and tea to round out the flavour porfile of Toi, Mot et Cafe. Balanced acidity helped to start the day off right.... in addition a lovely Cranberry/Vanilla Scone added enough to combat the blistering cold winds....

 Lunch Break!!

Well, not my lunch break - but I wish it was my lunch break.

Next stop: b espresso (Dundas/Church) - no photo... will need to return with adequate time to take in the environment.

Last stop: the new Dark Horse Espresso Bar (Queen and Euclid).

Brillance in a nutshell.

Proper review to come in the next couple of days.

First Experience: Little Nicky's

Little Nicky's Coffee
Address: 375 Queen St. West (Get Directions)

Neighbourhood: Queen West/Fashion District

Tel: 416.260.0500

Located just south of Queen at Peter Street, it's hard to miss this downtown cafe. Attracted only by various word of mouth comments and a lonely street sign enticing me for mini donuts it was only a matter of time before I would visit this location.
Open in July of 2010, it's a throwback to retro. Word on the street is that retro is IN, but something was different about this location.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Opening Soon: Dark Horse 3

Spotted on Queen West at Euclid! 

The Rumours are true!

684 Queen Street West will become the Third location for household darling Dark Horse!
Launch date: Sooner than you think! Jan 2011

The will be in heavy competition with LIT, Quaff, White Squirrel, Niche.

Queen West is now a mecca for coffee houses/ Espresso Bar.

Fashion + Caffeine = good combo

They will still be serving Detour Coffee!

First Experience: LIT Espresso (Queen W)

LIT Espresso Bar 
Address: 639 Queen Street West
                Main Floor of the Burroughes Building
Neighbourhood: Queen West/ Fashion District
(website) @litespressobar

LIT Espresso became the first of the BIG household Toronto names to open their third location. Having successfully launched in early December, it was great to see these guys move into the iconic Burroughes Building and bring charm back to the quickly developing 'hood.

The historic Burroughes Building (est. 1907) acted as a flagship store for King Sol and became the current incarnation after extensive renovations in 2006. Don't be fooled by the ample amounts of furniture that are on display for Design Republic , these guys have taken partnerships to a new level.

First Experience: Niche Coffee & Tea Company

Niche Coffee & Tea Company
Address: 626 Queen West (Markham Street)
Neighbourhood: Queen West
Telephone: (416) 203-0458
Hours: 8am-5pm

Niche has been on my "to visit" list for while. At night, I've passed by countless times being attracted to the bright luminating glow of their espresso machine. So I decided to drop in on a weekday, during regular operation times, and sample their espresso.
They have a full menu of food including lunch staples of sandwiches, pannini, soups, salads...etc prepared in the full kitchen at the rear of the cafe. As for the coffee part, they've chosen a great workhorse - Elektra Barlume VA. Having had experience with Managing Balzac's in the Distillery District, it would only be fitting that they know a little something about coffee. They carry a whole array of beans to reflect the neighbourhoods of our city thru unique profiles.

Spotlight: Dark Horse Empire

Dark Horse Espresso Bar (2)
Address: 215 Spadina Ave
Neighbourhood: Queen West/ Chinatown / CSI
(website, @darkhorsecafe)

(416) 979-1200

Dark Horse Espresso Bar began its decent on Toronto at the end of 2006 opening up their first location in Leslieville/ Riverside. The Cafe that's just across the bridge on the EAST side, opens it's heart with large windows featured artists and swivel chairs around this large oak table. What separated them from others in the emerging cafe scene was the introduction of this LARGE communal tables to work, chat and socialize with other community members. That void and lacking community spirit was what the co-owners Deanna Zunde and Ed Lynds wanted to bring back to our neighbourhoods. This has been a huge success as they expanded to Queen West, taking space  in the Robertson Building. Famous for the CSI (Centre for Social Innovation).
Located on the main floor, a natural meeting place for those in the building and again creating space with two communal tables, and "upstair loft section" laced with tables, 60s era lounge chairs, and more people watching through the glass walls.
Something is different at the Queen West location, maybe it's WHITE machine, or the larger windows, or the large menu, or maybe being home to Momiji Kishi Eastern Barista Champion and highest placing Torontoian at the CDN Barista Champs this past fall.

Machine: La Marzocco Linea (4 Group)
Doser: Mazzer Robus
Turnover: Heavy Traffic (sit in and take-out)
Beans: Detour Coffee Brazillian (Dark Horse only)
Music Chill, Indie, Rock
Disloyalty Card: YES

They have a large selection of Detour Coffee Beans and they've worked with Kaelin to develop the Brazillian single-origin espresso.

Verdict: sweet with a hint of earthy-rich-cocoa and some lingering acidity that makes you wonder how it'd taste in an americano or Capp.

From Detour:
After picking, the coffee cherries are processed using a technique called “pulped natural”. This method falls between the natural and washed methods. Only the outer skin of the coffee cherry is removed and beans are sundried with the pulp of the cherry left surrounding them. This method results in sweetness and body like natural processed coffees but with a bit more acidity like washed coffees. A little bit of acidity in this coffee works well to cut through milk drinks but can equally be enjoyed as a brighter single origin espresso.

Rumour has it they are going a bit further west and opening up #3 in early 2011 at Queen/Euclid.....

White Squrriel (Zombie Attackz)

On a lovely Saturday afternoon near Trinity Bellwoods, a park in the urban jungle, spring a cafe that is literally a whole in the wall with a small "upstairs" section. The seating arrangements consists of a T shaped table that seats 9 ppl comfortably and a bar wall that seats 6. Many of the patrons were on their laptops or chatting about the zombies in the park.

This shoppe has a lot of foot traffic capped off with a walk-up window situated on Queen West. They serve Espresso - own blend, local staples: Greg's Ice Cream and some sandwiches and pastries.

Drink: double Espresso
Cost: $2
Beans: White Squrriel - own blend
1/2 lbs. 8, Full lbs. 12.
Machine: double headed Elektra.
Dairy: Harmony organic

Verdict: Rich dark chocolate flavour with hints of something acidic.
Smell floral and tamed.

From the machine there was major crema at first, then a dark colour for the body formed leaving 1/4 inch of crema in the tall 3 oz. glass. High rotation of beans in the shop but there was a bit of something acidic on the back of the tongue that lingers.

At least the shop gives a great view of the east side of the park- it just so happened to be a zombie event today. A yearly events that brings its attendees up to Bloor Cinema for more fun!

Would I come back.... If I was in the area. But the constant foot traffic and spatial layout is more conducive to chatting than working. I'd choose Tampered Press up at Dundas across the park.

Upcoming posts: Review of my Top 10 - ib rebutal to Eye Weekly's post.
"innovation starts here..."